I could write a letter, walk across the campus to drop it in the mailbox, and then wait a week to hear back from them.



Or on the weekend I could collect a bunch of loose change and stand in line to use the one and only pay phone in my dormitory - during the week it was way too expensive.

My friends and I took all this for granted.

But look what we take for granted now! Sending a letter to someone on the other side of the world in a matter of seconds. Transmitting the identical document to hundreds of people at the same time with just a few mouse clicks. Retrieving data on any subject imaginable without budging from our desk chairs. Sharing home videos and music instantly with almost anyone, anywhere. Interfacing with potentially millions of people on a daily basis.

The Internet is the most powerful and versatile communications tool in the history of the human race. It's totally transforming the way companies do business.

I say all this to convince you beyond a doubt that you want to take your network marketing business online. You NEED your own Website to generate an ongoing stream of enthusiastic, pre-qualified prospects.

So what's stopping you from building your own site? Here are five common myths that deter many people.

1. IT'S GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND A LEG.

We've all heard of someone who paid a professional thousands of dollars to build a site for them. Most people just don't have that kind of money to invest when they're starting out.

But there IS another option that will cost you a tiny fraction of that: Build it yourself. (No, no. Stop laughing.)

And that brings up the next misconception.

2. THERE'S NO WAY I CAN BUILD A WEBSITE MYSELF - I HAVE NO COMPUTER SKILLS.

This is what I used to think, too. Then I discovered dozens of Web hosting services that make it a snap for small businesses to do it themselves.

It's no longer necessary to know computer programming or html code. If you can send emails, surf the Internet, and type letters in your word processing program, you can build a Website.

I did it -- so can you.

3. I'D HAVE TO SPEND A MOUNTAIN OF MONEY ON ADVERTISING IF I WANTED TO GET ANY VISITORS.

This is another misconception I used to believe, as well. I was stuck in old-school thinking.

But I'm happy to report that there are many effective ways to promote a Website that don't cost a dime, and some of them will give you even better results than traditional advertising.

4. MY COMPANY PROVIDES ME WITH A FREE WEBSITE - I DON'T NEED MY OWN INDEPENDENT SITE.

If you're thinking this way, I have a question for you:

How many other distributors have sites just like yours? Probably a few thousand, right? These are called "replicated sites," and search engines will totally ignore them because they clog up their systems.

It's fine if you want to send people to your replicated site for information about your company or products, but it will not generate any new leads for you. And leads are the lifeblood of your business.

5. I CAN'T HAVE MY OWN SITE - MY COMPANY WON'T ALLOW IT.

Most network marketing companies do restrict what their distributors can and cannot say about them, which is understandable. This may include bans on personal websites that pitch the company or its products or services.

But this doesn't have to be a problem for you.

There are still many ways you can use a Website to generate leads without mentioning your particular company or brand name. In fact, your site will be even more effective if you do it this way.

Why? Think about your own preferences. Which would you rather visit - a site that tries to sell you something or a site that simply gives you lots of useful information about a problem you're trying to solve?

Which site owner are you more likely to trust and want to connect with? Who are you going to perceive as the expert?

Here's an example: Suppose your company sells non-toxic cleaning products. Your site might offer cleaning tips to get housework done faster, scientific reports on the dangers of common commercial cleaners, and your own personal story of why you got interested in non-toxic cleaning products. Just don't mention your company or any of its brand names.

You'll attract like-minded people and develop a relationship of trust with them. And without a doubt, some of your readers will turn into customers or business partners.

So what are you waiting for? Jump in and start building. The World Wide Web awaits you.